Peach tree named ‘NJF17’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct peach variety of  Prunus persica  named ‘NJF17’ is described. This variety is distinguished from other peach varieties by its unique combination of non-showy, light pink flowers, flat fruit that ripen in early mid-season, bright green-yellow to yellow fruit that are devoid of over color, clingstone fruit with a juicy, nonmelting texture and sweet, spicy flavor, and firm fruit that retain their firmness well.

Latin name of genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus persica L.

Cultivar name: NJF17.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peachtree named ‘NJF17’. Our new tree resulted from crossing ‘A43-143-782081’(unpatented) as the seed parent with ‘D33-1-86227’ (unpatented) peachtree, as the pollen parent. The new variety differs from seed parent‘A43-143-782081’ in that the new variety has flat fruit while the seedparent has round fruit. The new variety differs from pollen parent‘D33-1-86277’ in that the new variety has a sweet, spicy flavor whilethe pollen parent has a mild flavor. The resulting tree was selectedwhen growing in a cultivated area as the 120^(th) tree in the 91^(st)row of Block D at the Rutgers Fruit Research and Extension Center inCream Ridge, N.J.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘NJF17’ variety is distinguished from other peach varieties due tothe following unique combination of characteristics:

-   -   Flat fruit shape.    -   Fruit devoid of over color.    -   Fruit with a bright green-yellow to yellow ground color.    -   Fruit with a sweet, spicy flavor.    -   Nonmelting flesh texture.    -   Firm fruit that retain their firmness well.

The variety was asexually reproduced at the Rutgers Fruit Research andExtension Center in Cream Ridge, N.J. Asexual reproduction of this newvariety by budding onto >Lovell>rootstock shows that the foregoingcharacteristics are so reproduced.

The following detailed description concerns the original tree, ‘NJF17’.The original tree and asexual progeny have been observed growing in acultivated area at the Rutgers Fruit Research and Extension Center inCream Ridge, N.J. Certain characteristics of this variety, such asgrowth and color, may change with changing environmental conditions(such as, light, temperature, moisture, nutrient availability, or otherfactors. Color descriptions and other terminology are used in accordancewith their ordinary dictionary descriptions, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. Color designations are made with reference to TheRoyal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new variety is illustrated by the accompanying photographicdrawings, depicting the peach tree by the best possible colorrepresentation using color photography. All color references below aremeasured against The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart.Colors are approximate as color depends on horticultural practices, suchas light level, fertilization rate, and other conditions and, therefore,the color characteristics of this new variety should be determined withreference to the observations described herein, rather than from theseillustrations alone. The following photographs were taken of a typicaltree that was seven (7) years of age.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph taken on Aug. 19, 2005 of a characteristictwig of ‘NJF17’ in late summer bearing typical leaves of the maturefoliage.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph of mature fruit of ‘NJF17’ and stonesharvested from the Rutgers Fruit Research and Extension Center in CreamRidge, N.J. on Aug. 16, 2005. Whole fruit are presented in twopositions, a basal view (upper left) and an apical view (lower left).Transverse cross sections (upper center and lower center) show that thepericarp clings to the pit when the fruit is mature. A longitudinalcross section (upper right) shows the oblate form of the fruit. Thestones (lower right) illustrate the high and deeply grooved ventralsuture and the mixture of pits and chains of pits forming grooves on thesurface of the stone.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph of a characteristic twig that illustratesthe typical flower buds and non-showy flowers of ‘NJF17’ observed on atree at the Rutgers Fruit Research and Extension Center in Cream Ridge,N.J. on Apr. 16, 2005.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph of a tree of ‘NJF17’ in early fall thatillustrates the slightly upright growth habit of a tree at the RutgersFruit Research and Extension Center in Cream Ridge, N.J. on Oct. 27,2005.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph taken on Oct. 27, 2005 of immature bark of‘NJF17’ that illustrates color and the moderate density of ellipticallenticels on the immature bark.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph taken on Oct. 27, 2005 of mature bark of‘NJF17’ that illustrates the slightly rough texture of the mature bark.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the ‘NJF17’ variety is based onobservations of an asexually reproduced tree. The observed tree was 7years of age and growing on ‘Lovell’ seedling rootstock (unpatented) inResearch Block C at the Rutgers Fruit Research and Extension Center inCream Ridge, N.J.

-   Scientific name: Prunus persica L.-   Parentage:

Seed parent: A43-143-782081. Pollen parent: D33-1-86227.

-   Tree:

Vigor: Vigorous. Plant hardiness zone: Growth of plants has only beenobserved in zone 6b. Dormant flower bud At least to −13° C. coldtolerance: Overall shape: Slightly upright with a well rounded canopy.Height: Above average as compared to other peach cultivars. For example,measurement of a typical grafted tree on ‘Lovell’ seedling rootstock(unpatented) at 7 years after planting shows an average height of 4.3meters when grown in Cream Ridge, New Jersey. Width: Below average ascompared to other peach cultivars. For example, measurement of a typicalgrafted tree on ‘Lovell’ seedling rootstock (unpatented) at 7 yearsafter planting shows an average width of 4.1 meters when grown in CreamRidge, New Jersey. Caliper: Seven year old tree is 48 cm incircumference measured at 20 cm from the ground. Trunk and Branches:Trunk bark texture: Slightly rough. Trunk bark color: Under color isgreyed-red (RHS 156b) overlaid by greyed-orange (RHS 174d) verticalcracks. Primary branches: Branches that are approximately 15 cm incircumference are greyed orange (RHS 177a) in color, overlaid withgreyed-white (RHS 156b). Lenticels: Moderate density, approximately 2 to3 per square cm; elliptical shape, typical examples of which measured5.5 mm in length; greyed-orange (RHS 165b) in color, bordered withgreyed-white (RHS 156d). Branch pubescence: None. New growth bark: Coloris greyed-orange (RHS 173a) in sun and yellow-green (between RHS 146c toRHS 146d) in shade. Internodes: Length typically 23 mm to 28 mm,averaging 26 mm on a one-year shoot.

-   Leaves:

Texture: Glabrous. Sheen: Young leaves semi-glossy with a flat finish onthe underside. Length: About 160 mm to 196 mm averaging about 180 mmincluding the petiole. Width: About 30 mm to 39 mm averaging about 35mm. Petiole: About 11.2 mm long and about 1.4 mm in diameter. Margin:Serrulate. Margin undulation: Slightly wavy and crinkled. Form:Lanceolate. Apex: Acuminate, curved downward. Base: Broadly acute.Venation: Pinnate. Glands: Number: About 0 to 5, averaging about 3.Position: Located on petiole and leaf margin. Size: Length averaging 1.0mm and width averaging 0.9 mm. Form: Reniform. Stipules: None observedon mature leaves. Leaf Color: Upper leaf surface: Green (RHS 137a).Lower leaf surface: Yellow-green (RHS 147b). Vein: Yellow-green (RHS147c). Pubescence: None.

-   Flowers:

Size: Small size, non-showy, typical flower measuring about 23 mmacross. Color: Dormant bud: Brown (between RHS 200a and RHS 200b). Pinkstage bud: Red (between RHS 55c and RHS 55d). Open flower: Open flowersred (RHS 56c) bordered with red (RHS 55b). Petals: Typically 5 petalsper flower; obovate shape; averaging 11.4 mm long and 8.4 mm wide. Colorred (RHS 56c), bordered with red (RHS 55b). Petal apex: Rounded. Petalbase: Acuminate. Stamens: Number: Variable, between 37 to 43, averagingabout 40.6. Length: Variable, between 10.0 mm to 13.1 mm, averaging 11.6mm. Filament color: Green-white (RHS 157d). Anther color: Red (RHS 42b).Pistil: Number: One. Size: Length between 10.1 and 14.0 mm, averagingabout 12.8 mm. Pistil color: Yellow-green (RHS 144b). Ovary: Moderatelypubescent, and oblate in shape. Sepals: Number: Five. Color: Groundcolor yellow green (RHS 144c), overlaid with greyed-red (RHS 182d) andlight pubescence. Shape: Triangular, with a rounded apex. Size: Lengthaveraging about 5.0 mm, width averaging about 4.0 mm. Nectar cup color:Greyed-yellow (RHS 162 b). Pollen: Abundant. Fragrance: Very slight.Bloom season: Onset of bloom in 2005 on April 17; full bloom on April20.

-   Fruit:

Size: Medium, about 4.1 cm long, 7.6 cm wide perpendicular to the sutureand 6.9 cm wide parallel to the suture. Typical weight: 131 g. Form:Longitudinal section: Oblate. Traverse section: Round-oblate. Suture:Moderately depressed. Base: Truncated and indented. Apex: Depressed;between nearly 13 to about 25 mm in diameter, with an average of 17.7mm. Stem: Average length of 5.3 mm and an average diameter of 9.7 mm.Skin: Thickness: Average. Surface: Regular with short pubescence.Tenacity: Above average. Astringency: Generally none. Tendency to crack:High in some years. Color: Under color green-yellow (RHS 1c) when firmripe, becoming yellow (between RHS 4c and RHS 10c) when fully ripe.Typically there is no over color. Fruit Properties: Flesh color: Yellow(RHS 10c). Flesh adhesion: Clingstone. Juice: Moderate. Texture: Fine,nonmelting. Fibers: Not noticeable. Ripens: Between July 27 and August14 at Cream Ridge, New Jersey. Flavor: Develops a sweet and spicy flavorwhen fully mature. Soluble solids: 14.8%. Aroma: Moderate. Eatingquality: Excellent. Keeping quality: Good. Has held its flavor andfirmness for at least 21 days in cold storage at 1° to 4° C. Shippingquality: Fair. Although no bruising or scaring disorders have beenobserved, lack of red over color makes blemishes more visible. Usage:Desert. Market: Local and long distance. Productivity: Good for a flatpeach. Tree has produced a crop in 6 out of 6 years, and a full crop in3 out of 6 years.

-   Stone:

Type: Clingstone. Form: Oblate. Base: Very broad. Apex: Very broad.Surface: Mixture of pits and chains of pits forming grooves. Ventralsuture: High, medium width, and deeply grooved on both sides. Dorsalridge: Low, narrow width, and deep lines. External color: Greyed-orange(between RHS 165d and RHS 166a). Internal color when Greyed-orange (RHS165d). cracked: Cavity surface color: Greyed-orange (RHS 165c). Averagestone weight: Dry weight 2.7 g. Average stone wall Variable, averagingabout 4.2 mm. thickness: Size: Very small. Averages about 13.2 mm long,19.5 mm wide parallel to the dorsal ridge and 19.6 mm wide perpendicularto the dorsal ridge. Tendency to split: Moderate in some years,especially when inadequately cropped. Kernel: Form: Irregular. Skincolor: Orange-white (between RHS 159 b and RHS 159c) at harvest,becoming greyed-orange (RHS 165b) when dried. Vein color: Greyed-orange(RHS 165c) at harvest, becoming greyed-orange (RHS 165b) when dried.Viable: No. Size: Highly variable; forms only rudimentary seed.Amygdalin Present

-   Plant/fruit disease and pest resistance/susceptibility: No atypical    resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural    practices.

1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially as hereinshown and described.